Pathway Ablation (pathway + ablation)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Pathway Ablation

  • fast pathway ablation
  • slow pathway ablation


  • Selected Abstracts


    Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in Children: Effect of Slow Pathway Ablation on Fast Pathway Function

    JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
    GEORGE F. VAN HARE M.D.
    AV Nodal Reentry in Children.Introduction: Prior studies in adults have shown significant shortening of the fast pathway effective refractory period after successful slow pathway ablation. As differences between adults and children exist in other characteristics of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), we sought to characterize the effect of slow pathway ablation or modification in a multicenter study of pediatric patients. Methods and Results: Data from procedures in pediatric patients were gathered retrospectively from five institutions. Entry criteria were age < 21 years, typical AVNRT inducible with/without isoproterenol infusion, and attempted slow pathway ablation or modification. Dual AV nodal pathways were defined as those with > 50 msec jump in A2-H2 with a 10-msec decrease in A1-A2. Successful ablation was defined as elimination of AVNRT inducibility. A total of 159 patients (age 4.4 to 21 years, mean 13.1) were studied and had attempted slow pathway ablation. AVNRT was inducible in the baseline state in 74 (47%) of 159 patients and with isoproterenol in the remainder. Dual AV nodal pathways were noted in 98 (62%) of 159 patients in the baseline state. Ablation was successful in 154 (97%) of 159 patients. In patients with dual AV nodal pathways and successful slow pathway ablation, the mean fast pathway effective refractory period was 343 ± 68 msec before ablation and 263 ± 64 msec after ablation. Mean decrease in the fast pathway effective refractory period was 81 ± 82 msec (P < 0.0001) and was not explained by changes in autonomic tone, as measured by changes in sinus cycle length during the ablation procedure. Electrophysiologic measurements were correlated with age. Fast pathway effective refractory period was related to age both before (P = 0.0044) and after ablation (P < 0.0001). AV block cycle length was related to age both before (P = 0.0005) and after ablation (P < 0.0001). However, in dual AV nodal pathway patients, the magnitude of change in the fast pathway effective refractory period after ablation was not related to age. Conclusion: Lack of clear dual AV node physiology is common in pediatric patients with inducible AVNRT (38%). Fast pathway effective refractory period shortens substantially in response to slow pathway ablation. The magnitude of change is large compared with adult reports and is not completely explained by changes in autonomic tone. Prospective studies in children using autonomic blockade are needed. [source]


    Need for Fast Pathway Ablation in Typical Irregular AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in a Patient with Multiple AV Nodal Pathways

    JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
    PETER WEISMÜLLER M.D.
    A case of a 60-year-old male with irregular AV nodal reentrant tachycardia of the common type is reported. Electrophysiological study revealed multiple antegrade slowly conducting AV nodal pathways and one exclusively retrogradely conducting fast AV nodal pathway. Despite the recommendation for slow pathway ablation as the treatment of choice in patients with AVNRT, first pathway ablation was successfully performed in this case due to the risk of total A V block of ablating the slow pathways. The present report shows that there is the rare patient in whom fast pathway ablation is required for curative treatment of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. [source]


    Rapid Atrial Pacing: A Useful Technique During Slow Pathway Ablation

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    LEONARDO LIBERMAN M.D.
    Background: Catheter ablation is the treatment of choice for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with a success rate of 95,98%. The appearance of junctional rhythm during radiofrequency (RF) application to the slow pathway has been consistently reported as a marker for the successful ablation of AVNRT. Ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction during junctional rhythm has been used by many as a surrogate marker of antegrade atrioventricular nodal (AVN) function. However, VA conduction may not be an accurate or consistent marker for antegrade AVN function and reliance on this marker may leave some patients at risk for antegrade AVN injury. Objective: The purpose of this study is to describe a technique to ensure normal antegrade AVN function during junctional rhythm at the time of RF catheter ablation of the slow pathway. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients less than 21 years old who underwent RF ablation for AVNRT at our institution from January 2002 to July 2005. During RF applications, immediately after junctional rhythm was demonstrated, RAP was performed to ensure normal antegrade AVN function. Postablation testing was performed to assess AVN function and tachycardia inducibility. Results: Fifty-eight patients underwent RF ablation of AVNRT during the study period. The mean age ± SD was 14 ± 3 years (range: 5,20 years). The weight was 53 ± 15 Kg (range: 19,89 Kg). The preablation Wenckebach cycle length was 397 ± 99 msec (range: 260,700 msec). Fifty-four patients had inducible typical AVNRT, and four patients had atypical tachycardia. The mean tachycardia cycle length ± SD was 323 ± 62 msec (range: 200,500 msec). Patients underwent of 8 ± 7 total RF applications (median: 7; range 1 to 34), for a total duration of 123 ± 118 seconds (median: 78 sec, range: 20,473 sec). Junctional tachycardia was observed in 52 of 54 patients. RAP was initiated during junctional rhythm in all patients. No patient developed any degree of transient or permanent AVN block. Following ablation, the Wenckebach cycle length decreased to 364 ± 65 msec (P < 0.01). Acutely successful RF catheter ablation was obtained in 56 of 58 patients (96%). Conclusion: Rapid atrial pacing during radiofrequency catheter ablation of the slow pathway is a safe alternative approach to ensure normal AVN function. [source]


    Reduction of Symptoms from LVOT Tachycardia Following Inadvertent Fast Pathway Ablation

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2000
    STEPHEN S. FURNISS
    FURNISS, S.S., et al.: Reduction of Symptoms from LVOT Tachycardia Following Inadvertent Fast Pathway Ablation. VT was mapped to above the aortic valve in a young patient with troublesome palpitations. A single 15-second RF application was inadvertently delivered to a reference His catheter producing permanent first-degree heart block. The patient has been completely asymptomatic since. [source]


    Differentiating Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia from Junctional Tachycardia: Novel Application of the Delta H-A Interval

    JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
    KOMANDOOR SRIVATHSAN M.D.
    Introduction: Junctional tachycardia (JT) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can be difficult to differentiate. Yet, the two arrhythmias require distinct diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We explored the utility of the delta H-A interval as a novel technique to differentiate these two tachycardias. Methods: We included 35 patients undergoing electrophysiology study who had typical AVNRT, 31 of whom also had JT during slow pathway ablation, and four of whom had spontaneous JT during isoproterenol administration. We measured the H-A interval during tachycardia (H-AT) and during ventricular pacing (H-AP) from the basal right ventricle. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of measurements was assessed. Ventricular pacing was performed at approximately the same rate as tachycardia. The delta H-A interval was calculated as the H-AP minus the H-AT. Results: There was excellent interobserver and intraobserver agreement for measurement of the H-A interval. The average delta H-A interval was ,10 ms during AVNRT and 9 ms during JT (P < 0.00001). For the diagnosis of JT, a delta H-A interval , 0 ms had the sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 83%, positive predictive value of 84%, and negative predictive value of 88%. The delta H-A interval was longer in men than in women with JT, but no gender-based differences were seen with AVNRT. There was no difference in the H-A interval based on age , 60 years. Conclusion: The delta H-A interval is a novel and reproducibly measurable interval that aids the differentiation of JT and AVNRT during electrophysiology studies. [source]


    Incessant Nonreentrant Tachycardia Due to Simultaneous Conduction Over Dual Atrioventricular Nodal Pathways Mimicking Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Referred for Pulmonary Vein Isolation

    JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2003
    Moussa Mansour M.D.
    It has been reported that conduction over the fast and slow pathways of the AV node can occur simultaneously, leading to a double ventricular response from each atrial beat. We report the cases of two patients referred to us for evaluation of symptomatic, incessant, and irregular narrow-complex tachycardia, misdiagnosed as atrial fibrillation, for consideration of pulmonary vein isolation. At presentation, careful evaluation of the electrograms revealed the presence of two ventricular activations for each atrial beat. At electrophysiologic study, both patients were found to have nonreentrant tachycardias arising from simultaneous conduction over the fast and slow pathways of the AV node. In one patient, the tachycardia had resulted in cardiomyopathy. Slow AV nodal pathway ablation performed in both patients resulted in cure of their tachycardias and recovery of ventricular function in the patient with cardiomyopathy. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 752-755, July 2003) [source]


    Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in Children: Effect of Slow Pathway Ablation on Fast Pathway Function

    JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
    GEORGE F. VAN HARE M.D.
    AV Nodal Reentry in Children.Introduction: Prior studies in adults have shown significant shortening of the fast pathway effective refractory period after successful slow pathway ablation. As differences between adults and children exist in other characteristics of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), we sought to characterize the effect of slow pathway ablation or modification in a multicenter study of pediatric patients. Methods and Results: Data from procedures in pediatric patients were gathered retrospectively from five institutions. Entry criteria were age < 21 years, typical AVNRT inducible with/without isoproterenol infusion, and attempted slow pathway ablation or modification. Dual AV nodal pathways were defined as those with > 50 msec jump in A2-H2 with a 10-msec decrease in A1-A2. Successful ablation was defined as elimination of AVNRT inducibility. A total of 159 patients (age 4.4 to 21 years, mean 13.1) were studied and had attempted slow pathway ablation. AVNRT was inducible in the baseline state in 74 (47%) of 159 patients and with isoproterenol in the remainder. Dual AV nodal pathways were noted in 98 (62%) of 159 patients in the baseline state. Ablation was successful in 154 (97%) of 159 patients. In patients with dual AV nodal pathways and successful slow pathway ablation, the mean fast pathway effective refractory period was 343 ± 68 msec before ablation and 263 ± 64 msec after ablation. Mean decrease in the fast pathway effective refractory period was 81 ± 82 msec (P < 0.0001) and was not explained by changes in autonomic tone, as measured by changes in sinus cycle length during the ablation procedure. Electrophysiologic measurements were correlated with age. Fast pathway effective refractory period was related to age both before (P = 0.0044) and after ablation (P < 0.0001). AV block cycle length was related to age both before (P = 0.0005) and after ablation (P < 0.0001). However, in dual AV nodal pathway patients, the magnitude of change in the fast pathway effective refractory period after ablation was not related to age. Conclusion: Lack of clear dual AV node physiology is common in pediatric patients with inducible AVNRT (38%). Fast pathway effective refractory period shortens substantially in response to slow pathway ablation. The magnitude of change is large compared with adult reports and is not completely explained by changes in autonomic tone. Prospective studies in children using autonomic blockade are needed. [source]


    Incidence and Clinical Significance of Inducible Atrial Tachycardia in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia

    JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001
    CHRISTIAN STICHERLING M.D.
    Significance of Atrial Tachycardia.Introduction: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of inducible atrial tachycardia in patients undergoing slow pathway ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia who did not have clinically documented episodes of atrial tachycardia. Methods and Results: Twenty-seven (15%) of 176 consecutive patients who underwent slow pathway ablation for AV nodal reentrant tachycardia were found to have inducible atrial tachycardia with a mean cycle length of 351 ± 95 msec. The atrial tachycardia was sustained in 7 (26%) of 27 patients and was isoproterenol dependent in 20 patients (74%). The atrial tachycardia was not ablated or treated with medications, and the patients were followed for 9.7 ± 5.8 months. Six (22%) of the 27 patients experienced recurrent palpitations during follow-up. In one patient each, the palpitations were found to be due to sustained atrial tachycardia, nonsustained atrial tachycardia, recurrence of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, and frequent atrial premature depolarizations. Thus, only 2 (7%) of 27 patients with inducible atrial tachycardia later developed symptoms attributable to atrial tachycardia. Conclusion: Atrial tachycardia may be induced by atrial pacing in 15% of patients with AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Because the vast majority of patients do not experience symptomatic atrial tachycardia during follow-up, treatment for atrial tachycardia should be deferred and limited to the occasional patient who later develops symptomatic atrial tachycardia. [source]


    Need for Fast Pathway Ablation in Typical Irregular AV Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia in a Patient with Multiple AV Nodal Pathways

    JOURNAL OF INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue 2 2000
    PETER WEISMÜLLER M.D.
    A case of a 60-year-old male with irregular AV nodal reentrant tachycardia of the common type is reported. Electrophysiological study revealed multiple antegrade slowly conducting AV nodal pathways and one exclusively retrogradely conducting fast AV nodal pathway. Despite the recommendation for slow pathway ablation as the treatment of choice in patients with AVNRT, first pathway ablation was successfully performed in this case due to the risk of total A V block of ablating the slow pathways. The present report shows that there is the rare patient in whom fast pathway ablation is required for curative treatment of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. [source]


    The Most Common Site of Success and Its Predictors in Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of the Slow Atrioventricular Nodal Pathway in Children

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2008
    HAW-KWEI HWANG M.D.
    Background:Locating ablation targets on the slow pathway in children as one would in adults may not accommodate the dimensional changes of Koch's triangle that occur with heart growth. We investigated the most common site of success and the effect of a variety of variables on the outcome of slow pathway ablation in children. Methods:A total of 116 patients (ages 4,16 years) with structurally normal hearts underwent radiofrequency ablation of either the antegrade or the retrograde slow pathway. Ablation sites were divided into eight regions (A1, A2, M1, M2, P1, P2, CS1, and CS2) at the septal tricuspid annulus. Results:Ablation was successful in 112 (97%) children. The most common successful ablation sites were at the P1 region. The less the patient weighed, the more posteriorly the successful site was located (P = 0.023, OR 0.970, 95% CI 0.946,0.996), and the more likely the slow pathway was eliminated rather than modified: median weight was 46.7 kg (range, 14.5,94.3 kg) in the eliminated group and 56.5 kg (range, 20,82.6 kg) in the modified group (P = 0.021, OR 1.039, 95% CI 1.006,1.073). Conclusions:The most common site of success for slow pathway ablation in children is at the P1 region of the tricuspid annulus. The successful sites in lighter children are more posteriorly located. Weight is also a predictor of whether the slow pathway is eliminated or only modified. [source]


    Radiation Exposure During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1p2 2003
    LAURENT MACLE
    MACLE, L., et al.: Radiation Exposure During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.RF catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is associated with prolonged fluoroscopy. The procedural duration and fluoroscopic exposure to patients and medical staff were recorded and compared among 43 ablation procedures for PAF, 20 for common atrial flutter, and 16 for accessory pathways. Patient radiation exposure was measured by dosimeters placed over the xyphoid, while that of physicians and nurses was measured by dosimeters placed outside and inside the lead apron. The mean fluoroscopy time was57 ± 30minutes for PAF,20 ± 10minutes for common flutter, and22 ± 21minutes for accessory pathway ablation. The patient median radiation exposure was 1110,Sv for PAF, compared with 500 ,Sv for common flutter and 560 ,Sv for accessory pathway ablation (P < 0.01). The median radiation exposure to physician and nurse inside the lead apron were, respectively, 2 ,Sv and 3 ,Sv for PAF, 1 ,Sv and 2 ,Sv for common flutter, and <0.5 ,Sv and 3 ,Sv for accessory pathway ablations. RF catheter ablation for PAF was associated with prolonged fluoroscopy times and a twofold higher radiation exposure to the patient and physician compared with other ablation procedures. Assuming 300 procedures/year, radiation exposure to the medical staff was below the upper recommended annual dose limit. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:288,291) [source]


    P Wave Dispersion Predicts Recurrence of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia Treated with Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

    ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
    Basri Amasyali M.D.
    Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) recurs in up to one-third of patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) treated with slow pathway ablation. Therefore, identification of patients at risk for recurrence of AF after slow pathway ablation is important because of the necessity for additional therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether successful slow pathway ablation influences P wave parameters and whether these parameters predict the recurrence of paroxysmal AF in patients with both AVNRT and paroxysmal AF after ablation. Methods: Thirty-six patients with AVNRT and documented paroxysmal AF (Group 1) were compared to 36 age-matched controls with AVNRT only (Group 2). P wave durations and P dispersion were measured before and after ablation. Results: No significant differences were observed between P wave parameters observed before and after ablation. Maximum P wave durations (Pmax) and P dispersion (Pdisp) were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.001 for both) whereas minimum P wave durations did not differ between groups, both before and after ablation. Ten patients (28%) in Group-1 had recurrence of AF during a mean follow-up of 34 ± 11 months. Univariate predictors of AF recurrence were Pdisp ,35.5 ms (P < 0.010), left atrial diameter >40 mm (P < 0.010), mitral or aortic calcification (P < 0.010), Pmax ,112 ms (P < 0.050), valvular heart disease (P < 0.050), and atrial vulnerability (induction of AF lasting >30 second) after ablation (P < 0.050). However, only Pdisp ,35.5 ms (P < 0.050) and left atrial diameter >40 mm (P < 0.010) were independent predictors of AF recurrences. Conclusion: This study suggests that P wave dispersion could identify patients with AVNRT susceptible to recurrence of AF after slow pathway ablation. [source]


    Radiation Exposure During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

    PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1p2 2003
    LAURENT MACLE
    MACLE, L., et al.: Radiation Exposure During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.RF catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is associated with prolonged fluoroscopy. The procedural duration and fluoroscopic exposure to patients and medical staff were recorded and compared among 43 ablation procedures for PAF, 20 for common atrial flutter, and 16 for accessory pathways. Patient radiation exposure was measured by dosimeters placed over the xyphoid, while that of physicians and nurses was measured by dosimeters placed outside and inside the lead apron. The mean fluoroscopy time was57 ± 30minutes for PAF,20 ± 10minutes for common flutter, and22 ± 21minutes for accessory pathway ablation. The patient median radiation exposure was 1110,Sv for PAF, compared with 500 ,Sv for common flutter and 560 ,Sv for accessory pathway ablation (P < 0.01). The median radiation exposure to physician and nurse inside the lead apron were, respectively, 2 ,Sv and 3 ,Sv for PAF, 1 ,Sv and 2 ,Sv for common flutter, and <0.5 ,Sv and 3 ,Sv for accessory pathway ablations. RF catheter ablation for PAF was associated with prolonged fluoroscopy times and a twofold higher radiation exposure to the patient and physician compared with other ablation procedures. Assuming 300 procedures/year, radiation exposure to the medical staff was below the upper recommended annual dose limit. (PACE 2003; 26[Pt. II]:288,291) [source]